Brown chosen to head economic development committee

State Sen. Sharon Brown, R-Kennewick, will lead the Senate’s Trade and Economic Development Committee during the 2015 legislative session.

She replaces Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, who will be deputy majority leader, as chairman of the committee.

Brown, who is going into her second full session in Olympia, said she was thankful for the decision by fellow members of the Majority Coalition Caucus.

“We must work together – in a bipartisan manner – to create an environment that encourages job and economic growth, allows new and small businesses to thrive, and sends a signal to the rest of the world that Washington is open for business,” Brown said in a statement. “As chair of the Trade and Economic Development committee that is exactly what I plan to do.”

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Brown’s economic development legislation includes a bill that would have created a pilot program to provide incentives for investments in job creation and economic development in the state. The bill passed the Senate but died in the House. Brown plans to introduce it again in January.

Brown also will serve on the Ways and Means, Health Care and Energy, Environment and Telecommunications committees.